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Ten Pitfalls to Avoid in Process Improvement Initiatives
 

1.		The Six Sigma Memory Joggers (Six Sigma, Black Belt, etc.)  From Goal/QPC An indispensable reference for Six Sigma Project team leaders and members.  Beginning with an overview and introduction to Six Sigma concepts, primary terminology, and the basics of the DMAIC method, this pocket guide describes a large number of Six Sigma tools, including the CTQ (Critical to Quality) Tree, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), Kano Model, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), process sigma, regression, SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs and Customers), VOC (Voice of the Customer) and the y=f(x) formula.
2.		The Power of Six Sigma by Subir Chowdhury This is actually a very down-to-earth introduction to the quality enhancement strategy that is continuing to transform the corporate world. Frustrated onlookers may believe that practitioners keep the practical meaning of Six Sigma hidden, like some secret magic potion, but this powerful little book blows the lid off the caldron. Written as a lunchroom dialogue between friends, it's as user-friendly as it is insightful.
3.		Six Sigma for Managers by Greg Brue  (Briefcase Books version) This is actually a very down-to-earth introduction to the quality enhancement strategy that is continuing to transform the corporate world. Frustrated onlookers may believe that practitioners keep the practical meaning of Six Sigma hidden, like some secret magic potion, but this powerful little book blows the lid off the caldron. Written as a lunchroom dialogue between friends, it's as user-friendly as it is insightful.
4.		Learning to See by Mike Rother and John Shook A simple, clear, practical book on Lean and Value Stream Mapping techniques.  This book gives you instructions on how to draw you current value stream with all the necessary details.  Next it explains how to draw your future value stream and what to do to get there.  A second book ‘Seeing the Whole’ by Dan Jones and Jim Womack take the techniques introduced in ‘Learning to See’ and expand them to the extended value stream.
5.		The Basic Practice of Statistics by David S. Moore A good, practical basic statistics book. Statistics is not an easy class especially if you are not mathematically inclined. However, by studying this book and working through the problems, anyone can obtain a good working knowledge of statistics.  For those with an existing statistical background, or those wanting to dig deeper into statistical analysis, ‘Statistics for Management and Economics’ by Keller Warrack is a good reference.
6.		Lean Thinking by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones Lean Thinking has a strong conceptual underpinning for thinking about improving operations.  It moves beyond the narrowest application of the lean manufacturing model (the original Toyota system) to explore key concepts like value (what do the customers want? as opposed to what do they choose from the limited options we give them?), flow (continuous production is faster and more efficient than batch processing), pull (letting immediate demand determine what is produced rather than sales projections), and perfection (thinking through the ideal way to do things, rather than just improving from where you are today somewhat).  A must for anyone involved in Lean processing.
7.		Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook by Michael L. George, David Rowlands, Mark Price, and John Maxey This pocket toolbook hits the "sweet spot" as a quick reference guide for lean six sigma practitioners. But, don't expect this to be an in-depth treatment of the tools covered. If you're new to the lean/six sigma disciplines, you need to start someplace else. However, if you are currently working in these disciplines and you need a reference with enough meat to remind you of how/why/when a particular tool should be used and also a little of the statistical foundations supporting the tool, then you will find this to be a very valuable book to own. This book is a very nice middle ground between the often complex and verbose "learning textbooks" and the often times overly brief pocket guides.
8.		Regaining Competitiveness, Putting the Goal to Work by Mokshagundam L. Srikanth and Harold E. Cavallaro, Jr. This book links the story in ‘The Goal’ to key principles and objectives in synchronizing manufacturing.  It is designed to convert the ideas from ‘The Goal’ into workable concepts and provide a hands-on tool for implementing these concepts.  It highlights the change in mind set required to adopt these concepts and suggests effective ways of achieving a successful implementation in a complex organization.  A narrative summary of ‘The Goal’ is included in the appendix and is linked to the various chapters in the book.
9.		Implementing Six Sigma by Forrest W. Breyfogle III This book serves as the ultimate reference work to help guide us through the tangled thickets of Six Sigma. Aside from providing numerous examples of how and when to use each of the tools in the Six Sigma toolkit, the work also frankly discusses why the methodology succeeds or fails (a lot of which has to do with the way it is implemented), and gives a good general overview of the principles behind the methodology.
10.		The Six Sigma Handbook by Thomas Pyzdek This book is a complete Six Sigma guide.  Tom Pyzdek has a gift for explaining complex topics in simple terms. While the Six Sigma Handbook is a complete and accurate discussion of the material, unlike many books on this topic, this one is clear and easy to understand. Tom has actually used these techniques, and his examples and explanations are easy to follow. Many books on this subject deal with theory or math. Tom tells you what to do to solve problems. The Six Sigma Handbook is a must-read for Engineers and Managers.